Ashanti debuts her new sound for celebrity friends and the music industry's finest

By Charreah Jackson

(April 23, 2008—New York City) Ashanti unveiled her new sound and sassy styleat R&B Live last night, as stars and the music industry's elitelooked on, including rappers Q-Tip, Free and Flo Rida and actor AnthonyAnderson.

After a four-year break the singer is back with her third album Declaration,set to be released in June. The singer sauntered out to some of herbiggest hits and belted out her new single "The Way I Love You" andother new songs. Ashanti's sultry strut as she asks the men in theroom, 'what would you do if I was your girlfriend?' let the crowd knowthis girl-next-door is all grown up.

“I think the best momentshonestly are just going on stage at a venue and I am able to hold themic in the air and the building is singing the hook," she told ESSENCE."I think it's a wonderful feeling and it's such a greataccomplishment.”

PHOTOS: Ashanti's Performance with Celebrity FriendsEric Nicks,founder/owner of First Class Entertainment, Ashanti andShanti Das, executive vice president of Universal/Motown and co-founderof R&B Live are all smiles as Ashanti prepares to take the stage.

Ashanti's excitment is contagious as she strikes a pose with Gayle King.

"I just want to be remembered as the girl who always kept it real—lyrically," Ashanti told ESSENCE. "Everything I am writing, I do tojust have people enjoy my music and have them realize that they are notthe only one dealing with certain things. If people don't have thecourage to say or talk about certain things, they can put on a recordof mine and it'll explain the whole thing.